Pittsburgh Steelers right guard David DeCastro’s performance last week against the Indianapolis Colts, upon further review, really was not as quality as the offensive line’s overall effort suggested. In reality, much of the success of the passing game was created by the quarterback reacting to pressure with quick throws.
While there were plenty of solid plays on tape for the third-year guard in this game, there was also an inordinate number of disappointing displays, and the purpose of this film review is to highlight some of those negative plays.
I have to be clear that my original analysis of this play was less favorable than when originally viewed in light of the coaches’ film. This is actually a fairly decent play, in which DeCastro managed to pick up the stunt between the defensive end and outside linebacker. Bjoern Werner did get some penetration on a bull rush, but DeCastro eventually anchored and the ball was delivered for a 19-yard completion.
Later on the opening drive, the Colts lined up Cory Redding against DeCastro on a first and 10 play, with the nose tackle playing off Maurkice Pouncey’s right shoulder. With the nose tackle squeezing the A Gap, DeCastro set a bit wider to his right as a result.
Redding burst through the gap between DeCastro and Pouncey and into the backfield, which allowed the nose tackle to loop around right guard as well. Ben Roethlisberger was fortunately still able to complete the pass.
The third-year guard, in fact, spent much of his day matching up against Redding, and the veteran defensive lineman didn’t make it easy on him. DeCastro lost his fair share of battles in this pairing, particularly against the run.
This was one such occasion, early in the second quarter on first and 10. Le’Veon Bell cut back from the right edge while avoiding a tackler to pursue to right side A Gap, but as Redding saw the back make his move, he shook DeCastro, tossing him aside and making the tackle at the line of scrimmage.
Redding fooled him on the very next play in pass protection and forced Roethlisberger to get rid of the ball early on a seven-yard pass to Bell. The Colts lined up only two linemen, with Pouncey doubling to his left and DeCastro isolated on Redding.
The defensive tackle, however, bluffed an inside move toward Pouncey. The right guard glanced to his left to see if the center would be there to provide support, or pick him up, which would free DeCastro to look to the right side. When he put his guard down, however, Redding swung around to the right and easily invaded the backfield.
